Kobra S1 vs U1 3D Printer
Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)
Kobra S1 and U1 3D Printer are two fused filament fabrication (fff/fdm) in a similar class. Choose Kobra S1 if price and closed chamber matters more; choose U1 3D Printer if multi-extruder and requires external accessory matters more.
| Parameter |
Kobra S1
Anycubic
F2 · Intermediate
|
U1 3D Printer
Snapmaker
F2 · Intermediate
|
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2025 | 2026 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | 549 € | 849 € |
| Price updated on | 06/2026 | — |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 40 × 41 × 49 cm | 58.4 × 49.9 × 73 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 18 kg | 18.2 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 250 × 250 mm | 270 × 270 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 250 mm | 270 mm |
| Power (W) | — | 1150 W |
| Maximum speed | 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Declared precision | 0.05 mm | 0.04 mm |
| Category specs | ||
| XY print surface (mm) | 250 mm | 270 mm |
| Maximum Z height (mm) | 250 mm | 270 mm |
| Kinematics | corexy | corexy |
| Max nozzle temperature (°C) | 320 °C | 300 °C |
| Max bed temperature (°C) | 120 °C | 100 °C |
| Max print speed (mm/s) | 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Closed chamber | True | False |
| Filament sensor | True | True |
| Auto leveling | mesh | mesh |
| Standard nozzle diameter (mm) | 0.4 mm | 0.4 mm |
| Multi-extruder | False | True |
| Native Klipper | True | True |
| Input shaper | True | True |
| Multicolor printing | True | True |
| Requires external accessory | True | False |
| Maximum colors | 8 | 4 |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The Kobra OS firmware is based on Klipper and controlled via a proprietary touch interface. The official slicer is Anycubic Slicer Next (derived from OrcaSlicer, available for Windows and macOS), but it also supports third-party OrcaSlicer. Remote control is possible via the Anycubic app (iOS/Android) over a local network, with no mandatory cloud connection for daily operations. | The primary software is Snapmaker Orca, an optimized version of the popular OrcaSlicer, which provides native management of the four toolheads and factory-calibrated material profiles. The printer can also be seamlessly managed via the Snapmaker mobile app for remote monitoring, taking advantage of the built-in 1080p camera. The internal firmware is built on Klipper, Moonraker, and Fluidd, which Snapmaker has made open-source, allowing experienced users to customize the machine and integrate it into complex workflows. |
The differences that matter
- Price: Kobra S1 549 € vs U1 3D Printer 849 € — Kobra S1 wins (+55%)
- Closed chamber: Kobra S1 yes, U1 3D Printer no
- Maximum colors: Kobra S1 8 vs U1 3D Printer 4 — Kobra S1 wins (+100%)
- Multi-extruder: U1 3D Printer yes, Kobra S1 no
- Requires external accessory: Kobra S1 yes, U1 3D Printer no
Which one to choose
Choose Kobra S1 if…
you value price, closed chamber and maximum colors. «A closed chamber reduces thermal gradients around the part being built, limiting warping and cracking caused by rapid cooling in high-shrinkage materials such as ABS, ASA, and PC. It also shields the mechanism from drafts and airborne particles. A closed chamber is effectively necessary for technical materials; for PLA and PETG it is an advantage, not a requirement.»
Choose U1 3D Printer if…
you value multi-extruder, work area and maximum z height. «A second extruder allows printing with two different materials in the same session: soluble support material for complex geometries, or a combination of rigid and flexible in the same part. It expands process capabilities but introduces calibration complexity and the risk of oozing from the idle nozzle. Most useful for work involving geometries that require supports difficult to remove manually.»
MakerSpecs is an independent atlas. We don't sell products: this comparison links to both sheets, where you'll find complete data and official links.